AZTECS HEAD-TO-HEAD

SDSU’s offense vs. Air Force’s defense

Aztecs: This offense is finally taking shape. SDSU’s win over Nevada last week featured its most balanced offensive effort of the season (286 passing yards, 3 TD receptions; 255 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs). The Aztecs seem to have figured out how to play together on offense, if they can repeat last week’s performance, they’ll overpower Air Force early.

Falcons: Say what you like about Air Force’s unique coverages and tricky schemes, but the Falcons are clearly struggling to execute. Air Force is young on defense, and it’s showing. They’ve given up about 493 offensive yards per game, split almost evenly in the run (222.5 ypg) and pass (270.5 ypg)

Edge: Aztecs

SDSU’s defense vs. Air Force’s offense

Aztecs: The Aztecs come in at a disadvantage because, as Rocky Long likes to say, it’s impossible to adequately prepare to face the triple option on a short week. But SDSU’s defense has been solid against the run of late. In three games, the Aztecs have allowed only 227 rushing yards on 105 carries – an average of 2.16 yards per attempt.

Falcons: The Aztecs’ prowess against the run is bad news for an Air Force offense that doesn’t throw a lot to begin with, but is now also onto its third starting QB of the year – sophomore Karson Roberts owns a 46.7 completion percentage and will make his third career start. Air Force will be without star receiver Ty MacArthur, who has missed the last three games with a concussion. So if FB Broam Hart (3 TD, 59.8 ypg) and RB Jon Lee (3TD, 56.5 ypg) can’t find traction against the Aztecs’ defense, it’s going to be a rough night.

Edge: Aztecs

Special teams – SDSU vs. Air Force

Aztecs: Special teams play has peculiarly gotten erratic over the last two weeks. Kicker Wes Feer cost SDSU four points vs. Nevada when he missed an extra point and a field goal. More positively speaking: Punter Joel Alesi has shown that SDSU can rely on him to flip the field and Seamus McMorrow has been nearly flawless on kickoffs. SDSU will have Colin Lockett back on kick returns too.

Falcons: Junior placekicker Will Conant has been on the money for Air Force all season. He’s 7-of-8 on field goals, and has nailed all 16 PATs. Punter David Baska is averaging 40.2 yards per punt, and Anthony LaCoste is averaging a respectable 22.1 yards per kick return

Edge: Air Force

Coaching

Aztecs: Since Rocky Long took over as defensive coordinator in 2009, the Aztecs are 6-1 against the service academies, with the lone defeat coming against Air Force in 2009 – Year 1 of the Brady Hoke regime. Long’s defenses match up well against the triple option offense, and this bodes well for SDSU on Thursday.

Falcons: Troy Calhoun knew this was going to be a challenging year for his team. The Falcons began 2013 with a combined 124 starts on the roster – fewest in the nation. To compound that, Air Force has lost at least seven significant contributors to injury and academy-specific ineligibility this year. There’s only so much a coach can do with a young team lacking in depth.